No matter who wins the White House on November 4th, a group of prominent conservatives are planning to meet the next day in Virginia to discuss the way forward for the movement. And, regardless of the outcome, Governor Sarah Palin will be high on the agenda. The New York Times reports that if John McCain loses the election, Palin could emerge as a standard bearer for the conservative movement and a potential presidential candidate in 2012, albeit one who will need to address her considerable political damage.

Most Americans had never heard of Sarah Palin when McCain first announced her as his running mate back in August. Her national debut came at the Republican party’s convention in Saint Paul where she sought to cast herself as an antidote to the elitist culture inside the Beltway.

Sarah Palin’s sudden rise to prominence, however, owes more to members of the Washington élite than her rhetoric has suggested. That’s according to an article in the New Yorker Magazine by investigative reporter Jane Mayer. It’s called
"The Insiders: How John McCain Came to Pick Sarah Palin.” Jane Mayer joins me now from Washington DC.

Jane Mayer, staff writer for the New Yorker. Her latest article is called "The Insiders: How John McCain Came to Pick Sarah Palin.” She is author of "The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How The War on Terror Turned Into A War on American Ideals.”

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